Stretching [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Bob Anderson (Author) "In the following section (pp. 26-103) are all the stretches in the book, with instructions for each position..." (more)
Key Phrases: minutes jog, developmental stretch, mild stretch, Shelter Publications, Routines Stretching, Minutes Warm (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Anderson started running and cycling during the salad days of the fitness boom, when the goal was simply to go farther and farther. No one knew what all those miles would do for a body--or do to a body. One day he realized he could barely reach past his knees while sitting on the floor in a straight-legged position. His tight muscles thus revealed, he began a lifelong quest to figure out the secrets of flexibility.

His main discovery--and his core message to readers--is this: "Stretching feels good when done correctly," he writes. "You do not have to push limits or attempt to go further each day. It should not be a personal contest to see how far you can stretch."

The world of sports may have shifted away from Anderson's style of "static" stretching--holding a stretch for 20 to 30 seconds or longer--but in the everyday world, it's still considered the safest and easiest way for people to become more flexible.

The key to successful stretching, Anderson says, is not trying to do too much. "It's better to understretch than overstretch," he writes. The point of flexibility exercise, after all, is to protect yourself from injury or immobility. The worst thing you can do is hurt and ultimately immobilize yourself while trying to prevent those consequences.

Stretching contains hundreds of exercises, simply and clearly drawn by Jean Anderson, the author's wife. (In an eccentric twist, most of the figures in the drawings are shown wearing wool hats, which Mrs. Anderson designs and sells.) Routines are shown for getting up in the morning, for before and after walking or sitting, and for watching TV. Sport-specific routines include programs for weight training, basketball, golf, running, and many others. All are simple, safe, and as easy as you're willing to let them be. --Lou Schuler

Review
Stretching is the vital link between the sedentary life and the active life. Stretching helps reverse the "creeping rigor mortis" of getting older. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Shelter Publications; 2nd edition (1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936070013
• ISBN-13: 978-0936070018
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (113 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #192,100 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very flexible book., October 28, 2007

By	a reviewer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stretching, 20th Anniversary Revised Edition (Paperback)

I liked this book on stretching for several reasons. The first is its simplicity. The pictures and instructions are very straightforward, making it quite easy to do basic stretches. Stretches are given for just about every muscle and limb you'd ever want to stretch and the author has even included some suggested stretching routines for various sports. Whether you're a competetive athlete, business person or housewife, I feel that this is book will have something to offer everyone making it a very handy and "flexible" book. Also recommend Treat Your Own Rotator Cuff for anyone looking for more specific rotator cuff and shoulder stretches.

54 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stretch for fitness, July 3, 2000

By	Christopher Cooper (Carrollton, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

I've used this book for several years in all the sport activities that I have been involved in. From my teenage years to my early 30's - I have found the stretches in this book to be a worthwhile endeavor. The author provides several stretching routines for a wide variety of activities. Secondly, there are drawings, which demonstrate the correct way to do these stretches. Stretching is an important part of any exercise regime and this book helps out by providing a necessary guide to stretching. The author points out the dangers of overstretching and gives the reader good advice for their regimes.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lifetime of fitness in this book, June 11, 2003

By	max fischer "max-fischer" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stretching, 20th Anniversary Revised Edition (Paperback)

If you are looking for a book on stretching, go no place else, this is it. While there are other new theories on proper stretching technique for specific results, or muscle fibers or sports, this book and the techniques it teaches are widely considered the mainstream of stretching technique.

You will find stretches for almost every single muscle in your body. Diagrams of each stretch show proper stretching technique and where the tension should be felt. The book runs through each of the main stretches, suggests a program for everyday stretching, and has a number of sport-specific programs. Yes, the pencil diagrams are corny, but as soon as you get over that, you will realize there is a wealth of information in here.

Should you do yoga or stretching? Yoga w/ a tape or a class is certainly a mind/body event that many people enjoy as a part of their fitness routine. But for a fitness regimen, a 20 minute stretching routine every morning or night has advantages over yoga. Yoga is essentially stretching exercises combined with isometric weight resistance. But yoga can often overextend or place undue stress on the ligaments/tendons and often the positions are not stretching the full length of the muscle, and if they are the positions often stretch the muscle to its limit immediately, rather than gradually, which has been shown to provide better flexibility results. With regard to the isometrics, if you are looking to build strength and/or muscle you need the progressive weight resistance that free weights or machines will provide - the isometrics will not provide significant results.

Stretching on a regular basis (along w/ aerobics and eating right) will leave you feeling relaxed and energized and if there is one stretching book you should own, this has got to be it.